Give Ilya Bryzgalov some credit -- you have to be dedicated to hockey to play in the ECHL.

That may be what he's looking to do, according to Stephen Whyno of the Canadian Press. The former Philadelphia Flyers goalie/aspiring astrophysicist is closing in on a deal with the Las Vegas Wranglers.

Bryzgalov hoping signing with Las Vegas Wranglers can get him back into NHL.

One important thing to note: The Wranglers are no longer the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, who do need a goalie (if they're not fully invested in tanking). In any case, Bryzgalov has expressed a fondness for some Vegas icons in the past.

Bad as Bryzgalov, 33, was last season with the Flyers -- and they're paying him $1.643 million per year for the next 14 years to not play for them -- he still should have something left to contribute to an NHL team. Not many teams needed goalies in the offseason, and Bryzgalov's baggage, his fault or not, couldn't have helped.

Bryzgalov went 19-17-3 with a .900 save percentage and 2.79 goals-against in 2013. Those numbers got progressively worse in each month -- in six January starts, he had a 2.19 GAA and .924 save percentage. Expect those numbers to improve with Las Vegas -- probably closer to 0.00 and 1.000. We also eagerly await Las Vegas' season opener against the Utah Grizzlies.